Carol Albritton Biedenharn'74 and the University Laboratory School Foundation Celebrated the Naming of the University High School Wing by Honoring William Louis Albritton.

LSU Laboratory School Names High School Wing Honoring William Louis Albritton

LSU, the Forever LSU Campaign and the LSU Laboratory School, or "U-High," are proud to announce the naming of the Laboratory School's high school wing after one of LSU's most distinguished alumni. On Friday, Jan. 15, a ceremony was held to officially name the wing for William Louis Albritton, an LSU alumnus, World War II veteran and father of prominent Laboratory School supporter, Carol Albritton Biedenharn. The high school wing will thereafter be known as W. L. Albritton Hall.

The naming of W. L. Albritton Hall was made possible by a contribution to the LSU Laboratory School Foundation's Capital Campaign by Biedenharn, who is an alumna of the Laboratory School.

"I already had a pledge in mind, and when I saw the opportunity to have the Albritton name on the high school building, considering the history of my grandfather and father, both graduates of LSU, it seemed appropriate," she said. "Everything I am and everything I have done in my life I owe to experiences gained from U-High. I have been very humbled by the honors bestowed on me. The faculty, the service organizations, many of the students both in my class and from other classes, meant so much to me. I find myself fortunate to have the means to help, and I was honored to have the opportunity to thank people who give back to the institution that helped mold me. I've grown to appreciate all my learning experiences at U-High and have grown up to love and appreciate Baton Rouge."

Biedenharn's gift helped the LSU Laboratory School Foundation exceed the campaign's goal of $5 million. The total amount of gifts contributed by all sources to the LSU Laboratory School Foundation's Capital Campaign currently totals $6.3 million. In addition, all gifts to the Laboratory School's campaign are also counted toward the university-wide Forever LSU campaign, which has an ultimate goal of attaining $750 million in support for LSU by the end of the year 2010.

William Louis Albritton was a native and resident of Baton Rouge for 86 years. Albritton was a Navy Lieutenant Commander of the United States during World War II and a 1930 graduate of the LSU Law School. He was also a member of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Baton Rouge Country Club, City Club, Baton Rouge Assembly, a longstanding member of Ducks Unlimited and Baton Rouge Bar Association. Albritton passed away Sept. 2, 1994.

The Albritton family has had numerous graduates of LSU dating back to LSU's founding in 1860. Biedenharn recollected, "My father was extremely proud of his father, Alvin, who was recognized as one of the university's youngest graduates with a double major". Alvin Albritton was also a native and resident of Baton Rouge and was an 1899 graduate of LSU's civil engineering program and was a member of the first graduating class at the LSU Law School in 1908.

Biedenharn graduated from LSU Laboratory School in 1974 and was very active during her eight years at the school. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council representative during her sophomore year, secretary her junior year and president as a senior, which she claims "prepared me for life in general." She represented the LSU Laboratory School at District and State Rally in Typing, placing first at State Rally two years in a row. A four-year member of Uniteens, she was project chair her sophomore year and editor her junior year. She served three years in Future Homemakers of America before changing to Future Business Leaders of America her senior year. She was a member of The Cub staff, Cub business staff and Collage. She attended the yearbook workshop and served two years each in Chorus, Spanish Club, Boosters and Quill & Scroll. She was on the dance team her senior year and was, not surprisingly, chosen as a Senior Special. In her four years of high school, Biedenharn was a Hi-Y Sweetheart and a member of the Homecoming, May and Winter Formal Courts.

Biedenharn is the proud mother of four children, one of which, Richie, is a junior at LSU majoring in mechanical engineering. Emily, the oldest, is a civil engineering graduate from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. She currently still resides in Nashville, Tenn., and has recently become engaged to be married. Caroline graduated cum laude in English literature from Vanderbilt and resides in Nashville. The youngest, Frances, is a junior at Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson, Miss., and still lives with her mother.

Biedenharn's dedication to the LSU Laboratory School will be recognized by future generations of students.

"No matter how long I am away, Baton Rouge is always home, and I am always drawn to U-High," she said.

The presentation on Friday, January 15 included dignitaries such as LSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Astrid Merget; LSU College of Education Dean M. Jayne Fleener; LSU Foundation President and CEO, Maj. Gen. William G. Bowdon; Forever LSU Campaign Chairman Hon. W. Henson Moore; LSU Laboratory School Director Wade Smith; Chancellor Emeritus James H. Wharton; LSU Laboratory School Foundation Chair D. J. Davis Jr.; and LSU Laboratory School alumni and Campaign Co-Chairs Brett Furr ('79) and Richard Lipsey ('57).

Support for the LSU Laboratory School helps achieve the goals of the Forever LSU campaign. Forever LSU is the largest fundraising effort in university history, with a goal of attaining more than $750 million of support for LSU by the end of the year 2010. To find out how to join the campaign for LSU's future, visit www.foreverlsu.org.

Scott Madere is the director of Public Relations for the LSU Foundation. For more information on this news story, the LSU Foundation or the Forever LSU campaign, contact him at 225-578-3826 or smadere@lsufoundation.org.